Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

HUFF! HUFF!

Within the mirror space, Su Han collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. The tension coiling in his heart could finally loosen for a moment.

Although the Copper Tiger Saint’s realm was not high, his strength was immense. His sudden arrival had caught Su Han completely unprepared, forcing a direct confrontation. Had he prepared the Eight Gates of Life and Death Formation in advance, he would never have ended up in such a sorry state. In the final moments, it was the severe backlash from the Copper Tiger Saint’s own injuries that gave Su Han the opportunity for a counter-kill. Such a chance was minuscule, and Su Han would never gamble his life on ephemeral luck.

Fortunately, he had triumphed in the end, successfully killing the Copper Tiger Saint and resolving the crisis.

”Devour!”

Su Han was gravely injured, but he couldn’t bear to use the Life Spring Water again. He activated the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art and began to devour and refine the Copper Tiger Saint’s corpse. Although the Copper Tiger Saint did not possess a Special Physique, he was a Saint. His body was a potent elixir of flesh and blood, containing rich energy.

Seated cross-legged, Su Han began the refinement. A torrential wave of energy poured into his limbs and bones, slowly healing his battered body. Su Han’s Great Accomplished Sacred Body was immensely powerful and already possessed a notable self-healing ability. With both methods working in tandem, his recovery speed was astonishing. In less than half an hour, he was as good as new, and even his depleted Demonic Qi had been fully replenished.

”Soul Searching Technique!”

While devouring the body, Su Han cast the Soul Searching Technique. Although the Copper Tiger Saint was dead, which diminished the technique’s effectiveness, Su Han still managed to extract the information he desired just as the Saint’s soul began to dissipate.

An Earth Mine? Hidden Fine Copper?

Su Han had long noticed the dense Golden Spirit Energy within Fine Copper City, but he never expected a medium-sized Earth Mine to be located directly beneath it. Furthermore, at its core, one could excavate the exceedingly precious Hidden Fine Copper. Such a material could be used to forge Holy Artifacts and contained an immense amount of Golden Spirit Energy.

The Copper Tiger Saint’s ancient copper furnace contained traces of Hidden Fine Copper, which was why it had become a Holy Artifact. The Saint’s greatest wish had been to use the material to forge a Holy Sword, but sadly, that wish would now remain forever unfulfilled.

The Nineteenth Prince came to Fine Copper City to use the Earth Mine for a breakthrough. This is good news!

Learning of the Nineteenth Prince’s intentions from the Copper Tiger Saint’s memories, Su Han’s eyes lit up. A plan began to form in his mind. If it succeeded, he would not only gain the right to cultivate in the Earth Mine but would also earn a place among the upper echelons of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty.

I’ll get out of here first!

Once the plan took root in his mind, it became impossible to erase, growing wilder by the second. Su Han had to temporarily suppress it and prepare to leave the mirror space.

「...」

Outside, Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue waited anxiously. They didn’t dare to move a single step, remaining vigilant and guarding their surroundings to prevent anyone from approaching. Fortunately, this area was far from Fine Copper City and rarely saw any visitors, so no one stumbled upon them.

WHOOSH!

A spatial ripple pulsed, and Su Han’s familiar figure appeared before them.

”Mr. Su!” Li Qingyue was the first to rush over, her delicate face brimming with joy, all her previous worries vanishing in an instant.

Li Mingliang also snapped to his senses and followed, but the shock he felt was unprecedented. Su Han had emerged, but the Copper Tiger Saint was nowhere to be seen—not even a trace of him remained. What did that mean? Either the Copper Tiger Saint was trapped, or he had been killed. If it was the former, it would be one thing; Su Han was a man of mystery, so it was plausible he possessed powerful Holy Artifacts capable of trapping a Saint. But if it was the latter... the implication was utterly astonishing.

Who was the Copper Tiger Saint? He was an expert at the Second Layer of the Saint Realm and the number one Sword Casting Master in Fine Copper City. His wealth and power were things people could only look up to in awe; he was an existence who could kill them with a single breath. While Su Han was powerful, Li Mingliang had only seen him slay the three sect leaders of the Heavenly King Realm. As for Peach Blossom Paradise, he only knew that Su Han had entered and returned unscathed, unaware of the events that transpired within. But the Copper Tiger Saint was a powerhouse of the Saint Realm! For a Supreme to defy the realms and slay a Saint—such a feat was the stuff of legends, almost never seen in reality.

Who exactly is Mr. Su? Why is he so powerful at such a young age, with such a mysterious background? Li Mingliang’s mind was filled with questions, but he could find no answers.

”The Copper Tiger Saint is dead. You don’t need to worry,” Su Han said, confirming Li Mingliang’s speculation. The statement struck Li Mingliang’s Heart Spirit, shaking him so profoundly that he couldn’t regain his composure for a long time. Mr. Su had actually slain the Copper Tiger Saint, and from the looks of it, he hadn’t even sustained serious injuries. What on earth had happened in that last hour? This... this was like something out of a fantasy!

”We can’t stay here for long. Let’s go to Hengchuan City first,” Su Han said. With a wave of his hand, Samadhi True Fire flew out and incinerated the corpses of the brocade-robed man and the others, erasing all traces of them.

Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue naturally had no objections to Su Han’s arrangements, and the three of them quickly left the area.

Hengchuan City was another large city, though not as famous as Fine Copper City. Su Han led Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue inside and found an ordinary inn for them to stay in.

”You two stay here for now and wait for my message,” Su Han said, preparing to leave after getting them settled.

”Mr. Su, where are you going?” Li Mingliang asked, confused. The Copper Tiger Saint was no ordinary person; his death would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar. As the one responsible, why wasn’t Su Han taking them and fleeing immediately? Where else could he be going?

Could it be that Mr. Su wants to leave alone, so as not to burden me and Qingyue? But many people in Fine Copper City saw the three of us together. Even if he escaped by himself, we wouldn’t be able to get away safely. That doesn’t make any sense!

”I’m going back to Fine Copper City. Don’t worry about me. Just wait for my message.”

Su Han’s plan was fully formed, but it was far too dangerous to share with Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue. He would tell them after he succeeded.

Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue were both stunned. Fine Copper City? The Copper Tiger Saint had just died, and the Nineteenth Prince and the Crane Sword Saint were still there. Why go back? Could Mr. Su be planning to eradicate all threats by killing the Nineteenth Prince and the Crane Sword Saint as well?

That’s... that’s impossible! The thought was so insane that Li Mingliang quickly pushed it from his mind, not daring to entertain it any longer.

Su Han didn’t elaborate. He simply waved his hand and left the inn.

After exiting Hengchuan City, Su Han retraced his steps, heading straight back toward Fine Copper City.

Fortune favors the bold. If I’m going to risk it all, I might as well make it a grand gamble! A sharp glint flickered in his eyes, his conviction unwavering.

His plan was to kill the Nineteenth Prince and take his place.